Universal Prayer at Funeral Mass

"The priest directs the Universal Prayer, a minimum of four prayers, requiring universal response from the gathered assembly. The Universal Prayers are standard general intercessions or bidding prayers, calling for spoken responses from the assembly gathered at a Catholic Mass and reflective of the concerns of the whole gathering and the universal Catholic Church. Prior to the reading of the bidding prayers, the priest will invite the congregation to join together in praying for the deceased. A member of the congregation will then read out the bidding prayers, pausing at the end of each prayer to allow time for silent prayer".

Choose one prayer from each section (A, B, C, D):

A.

That (N) may rejoice in the gift of eternal rest and everlasting life. - We pray to the Lord...

That (N) may rejoice with the saints around God's throne. We pray to the Lord...

That (N) may be raised up to the new and eternal life of God's glorious kingdom. We pray to the Lord...

That (N) may rest and rejoice in the presence of God's eternal love and glory. We pray to the Lord...

That (N) who, in Baptism, was given the pledge of eternal life now be admitted to the company of saints. We pray to the Lord...

That (N), who, in Baptism, was made a son/daughter of God, may now rest and rejoice in God's kingdom of eternal life and love. We pray to the Lord...

That (N) child of God and heir to the kingdom be held securely in God's loving embrace, now and for all eternity. We pray to the Lord...

B.

That the family and friends of (N) be consoled in their grief by the Lord who himself wept at the death of his friend Lazarus. We pray to the Lord...

That the memories of (N) help his/her family and friends to overcome their grief with gratitude for the gift he/she has been to them. We pray to the Lord...

That the family and friends of (N) find rest from their sorrow through their faith in Jesus who conquered death for all of us. We pray to the Lord...

That (N)'s family and friends may feel the healing power of Christ in the midst of their pain and grief. We pray to the Lord...

That the family and friends of (N) are consoled and encouraged during this time of grief by their faith in God's love and mercy. We pray to the Lord...

C.

That all who have died rest in God's glory. We pray to the Lord...

That the sick and the suffering, the ill and infirm, receive the tender loving care they need. We pray to the Lord...

That all who have died, may rest in the peace and glory of Jesus who is our life and resurrection. We pray to the Lord...

That our relatives and friends who have gone before us in faith may enjoy unending light and peace. We pray to the Lord...

That all who have fallen asleep in the hope of rising again, may see God face to face. We pray to the Lord...

D.

That Our Lord will bless all who have offered sympathy and support to those who mourn (N)'s death. We pray to the Lord...

That those who cared for (N) be blessed for their efforts and their service to others. We pray to the Lord...

That all of us here today may renew our appreciation for the gift of life both temporal and eternal. We pray to the Lord...

That all those who helped (N) in his/her final days know how much their generosity and care are appreciated. We pray to the Lord...

That all of us assembled here may be gathered together again in God's kingdom. We pray to the Lord.